> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Garuda Linux's Big Release, Code-named “Bird of Prey” is Here! - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/garud-linux-bird-of-prey/ - Published: 2024-04-29T10:36:45.000Z - Updated: 2024-04-29T10:40:31.000Z - Description: Garuda Linux with KDE Plasma 6, a new browser, and several nice upgrades! - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: Distribution Releases, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 Many users who are looking for a [user-friendly Arch-based Linux distribution](https://itsfoss.com/arch-based-linux-distros/) usually end up with a distro like [Garuda Linux](https://garudalinux.org/?ref=itsfoss.com), and I mean, who can blame them? Garuda Linux is so cool! Last month, the project [turned 4](https://forum.garudalinux.org/t/4th-birthday/35383?ref=itsfoss.com), marking a major milestone for the vibrant distro. But that's not all. We now have a new Garuda Linux release that has been given the codename “**Bird of Prey**”, derived not from Harley Quinn's [escapades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birds%5Fof%5FPrey%5F%282020%5Ffilm%29?ref=itsfoss.com), but from the [actual birds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird%5Fof%5Fprey?ref=itsfoss.com) that hunt other vertebrates. Let's fly into this release and check out what's on offer 🕊️ ## 🆕 Garuda Linux “Bird of Prey”: What's New? ![a screenshot of garuda linux birds of prey desktop screen](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/Garuda_Linux_BoP_a.jpg) Compared to its [previous release](https://itsfoss.com/garuda-linux-spizaetus-release/), Garuda Linux's first release of 2024 has some important things to bring to the table. It is powered by [Linux kernel 6.8](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-6-8-release/) and features the following **key highlights**: - **FireDragon's Floorp Connection** - **Desktop Environment Upgrades** - **New Wallpapers** ### FireDragon's Floorp Connection ![a screenshot of garuda linux birds of prey running firedragon which is now based on floorp browser](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/Garuda_Linux_BoP_b.jpg) Starting with this release, Garuda Linux's web browser, FireDragon, now uses the popular Firefox fork, [Floorp](https://itsfoss.com/floorp-firefox/) as a strong base to build on, ditching [Librewolf](https://librewolf.net/?ref=itsfoss.com) in the process. During the testing phase for this, many community members came together to report bugs, which were fixed before the release. FireDragon now also has many improvements, like **faster webpage loading**, **revamped branding**, **a customizable sidebar**, **rounded page corners**, and more. We have covered the underlying Floorp browser separately, if you are curious: [Floorp Browser: Is It The Most Advanced Cross-Platform Firefox Derivative?Let’s take a look at another interesting Firefox fork, Floorp.![](https://news.itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra![](https://news.itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/01/floorp-first-look.png)](https://itsfoss.com/floorp-firefox/) ### Desktop Environment Upgrades This release features upgraded desktop environments with fixes and improvements across the board. **Starting with** [**Hyprland**](https://hyprland.org/?ref=itsfoss.com), Garuda Linux comes with a special variant called *G-Hyprland* that has additional capabilities like the ability to tweak the blurring of windows, change the corner size/gap of windows, and new waybar themes. Moreover, you also get support for custom static/animated wallpapers, and a slideshow option for wallpapers. Then, on **the KDE Plasma-equipped *Dr460nized* side**, many plasmoids were ported to Plasma 6, initial HDR support is being offered, and **Wayland is now the default session**. The *Garuda System Maintenance* tool was also updated, allowing users to upgrade from Plasma 5 *Dr460nized* to [Plasma 6](https://itsfoss.com/kde-plasma-6/). **For** [**Sway**](https://swaywm.org/?ref=itsfoss.com), in a bid to improve the log in experience, [ReGreet](https://github.com/rharish101/ReGreet?ref=itsfoss.com) was introduced. Then, we have the screenshot tool which was changed to [Swappy](https://github.com/jtheoof/swappy?ref=itsfoss.com), the clipboard manager was changed to [Cliphist](https://github.com/sentriz/cliphist?ref=itsfoss.com), and a new cheat sheet that was added for easy understanding of key bindings. The default terminal emulator and app launcher also sees a change, with [Foot](https://codeberg.org/dnkl/foot?ref=itsfoss.com) and [Fuzzel](https://codeberg.org/dnkl/fuzzel?ref=itsfoss.com) now taking over those tasks. ### New Wallpapers ![a screenshot of garuda linux birds of prey wallpaper selection menu](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/Garuda_Linux_BoP_c.jpg) You also get some neat wallpapers with this release. There are **three new wallpapers** that were chosen from the [wallpaper contest](https://forum.garudalinux.org/t/vote-for-our-next-releases-artwork-contest/36232?ref=itsfoss.com). The one you have been seeing throughout this article is called “Rave” by [*Mior\_D\_Miro*](https://forum.garudalinux.org/u/mior%5Fd%5Fmiro/summary?ref=itsfoss.com)*.* The other two runner-ups were “Garuda Bird of Prey (4)” by [*mr\_maniac\_2k*](https://forum.garudalinux.org/u/mr%5Fmaniac%5F2k/summary?ref=itsfoss.com), and “Garuda SpaceBird” by [elite](https://forum.garudalinux.org/u/elite/summary?ref=itsfoss.com). Surprisingly, the Garuda Linux build I checked out didn't feature the runner-ups I mentioned earlier, but only the “Rave” one. ### 🛠️ Other Changes and Improvements Apart from the highlights of this release, here are some other changes: - Continuation of the infrastructure upgrade work. - Dropping of the Qtile edition as the maintainer had to shift their focus. - A few updates to the slides shown during install, for a more modern look and feel. - ISO images are now automatically verified during boot and will prevent booting if there are any issues. There are a few other changes that are not mentioned above. You can go through the [release blog](https://forum.garudalinux.org/t/garuda-linux-bird-of-prey-240428/36387?ref=itsfoss.com) or the [official changelogs](https://gitlab.com/garuda-linux/changelogs/-/blob/master/Past%20changelogs/240428.md?ref=itsfoss.com) to learn about those. ## 📥 Download Garuda Linux “Bird of Prey” You can get this release on any of the **nine editions** (*yes, you read that correctly*) of Garuda Linux from the [official website](https://garudalinux.org/downloads?ref=itsfoss.com). There's a gaming edition in the mix that might interest the gamer in you. [Garuda Linux](https://garudalinux.org/downloads?ref=news.itsfoss.com) If you require any further assistance regarding this release, you can refer to the [official wiki](https://wiki.garudalinux.org/en/home?ref=itsfoss.com). **Suggested Read** 📖 [Top 10 User-friendly Arch-Based Linux Distributions \[2024\]Want to experience Arch Linux without the hassle of the complicated installation and setup? Here are a few user-friendly Arch-based Linux distributions.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSDimitrios![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/03/arch-distros.png)](https://itsfoss.com/arch-based-linux-distros/)